Page 3 of Vows of Deceit
"Yeah... yeah. I wish I could be with you instead."
Cassie felt the blood drain from her face. Her body froze, every cell screaming denial.
Then came the clincher, "I’ll leave her soon. I just need a little more time."
Kelly’s voice was faint but unmistakable on the other end. Laughing. Mocking.
Cassie took a step back, heart hammering.
She didn’t cry. Didn’t collapse. She simply turned around, each movement deliberate, composed.
When she returned to the ballroom, Harper caught the flicker of something in her eyes.
"What happened?"
Cassie handed her the half-drunk champagne. "I think I need something stronger."
She smiled.
But this time, Harper noticed her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
Chapter Three
The Forgotten Gift
The morning after the party, Cassie sat on the edge of their California king bed, her hands wrapped around a mug of black coffee gone cold. The penthouse was quiet, too quiet, except for the soft hum of the city waking up outside. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the skyline stretched endlessly, bathed in the pale gold of early light.
Damien was still asleep, sprawled across his side of the bed in a half-unbuttoned dress shirt and black slacks. His tie lay forgotten on the floor, his phone blinking with missed calls. Cassie stared at it for a moment longer than necessary before setting her cup down and rising to her feet.
There was no card on the vanity. No box on the nightstand. No bouquet waiting near the door.
No gift.
Two years of marriage. And not even a handwritten note.
She checked the closet, the hallway table, even the kitchen island where he’d once left a surprise diamond pendant on their first dating anniversary. Nothing.
Her stomach tightened.
Maybe he left it at the office. Maybe it was coming later. Maybe—
The elevator dinged.
Delia stepped out with her usual grace, holding a slim planner and a paper bag of croissants from Cassie’s favorite French bakery.
“Morning,” Delia said, eyes scanning Cassie’s expression. “You didn’t sleep?”
Cassie shook her head lightly. “Just woke up early.”
Delia placed the pastries down. “Want me to get started on your briefing for the investor brunch?”
“In a minute.” Cassie hesitated. “Did Damien… happen to leave anything with you for me?”
Delia blinked. “Like what?”
“An envelope. A gift. Anything.”
A pause. Then, gently, “No.”
